Nancy Baldwin Adams

Nancy Baldwin Adams, 76 of Chebeague Island, died September 19, 2009 in Portland, Maine.  Nancy was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, a daughter of Dr. Edward H. Baldwin and Mrs. Marguerite S. Baldwin. She attended the MacDuffie School in Longmeadow and graduated from Classical High School in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Nancy graduated from Colby Junior College in New London, New Hampshire, and as recently as the spring of 2009, she returned to the now Colby-Sawyer campus for a visit and lunch in town.  She related many happy, fun memories of her time at Colby Junior and enjoyed telling her family that she majored in Bridge. 

In 1953, Nancy married David L. Adams also of Longmeadow and they resided in Cape Elizabeth with their three daughters for many years.  While living in Cape Elizabeth, Nancy was active in the Junior League of Portland; volunteered with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, hosting fundraising dinners; and made puppets and toys for sick children at Maine Medical Center.  She was a member of the State Street Congregational Church.  For years, she worked at James Bailey Company, a local sporting equipment outfitter.  

Nancy moved to Scarborough and worked for the Prouts Neck Association as office manager.   While living and working in Scarborough, she made many fast and life long friends.   Family and friends well remember braving a torrential rain storm to celebrate her retirement held at the Prouts Neck Yacht Club.

Chebeague Island has long been a summer retreat for Nancy and her family.  She made the island her year round home taking pride in her newly renovated and winterized cottage. She became involved in community activities serving as Treasurer of the Chebeague Island Library, a member of the Chebeague Island Long Range Planning Committee.  She attended services at the Chebeague Island Methodist Church and was a member of both the Chebeague Island Yacht Club and Great Chebeague Golf Club. She was an accomplished quilter, seamstress, knitter, rug hooker and gardener.  Through the years, Nancy organized many family ski vacations and continued to enjoy skiing until several years ago.

Ever a welcoming hostess, Nancy often held impromptu get togethers with interesting people.  Nancy's friends referred to her as the Commodore of a long running weekly get together, “Friday Night Live”.   She traveled extensively and a members of the original group of Chebeague travelers to Egypt.  Nancy recently contemplated a trip to Australia to attend the wedding of a young man she had met years ago on a tour of Europe. Beyond the traditional travels to Europe, her last trip was to Serbia and the former Yugoslavia.

Nancy is survived by two sisters; Suzanne Fisk and her husband Peter of Worthington, MA and Jody Lexow and her husband Eric of Jamestown, RI; daughters Deborah A. Bowman of Chebeague Island, Eliza Jane Adams and her husband Rockland Helpin of Cumberland, ME and Betsy B. Adams of Cambridge, MA; and grandchildren Marguerite, Cooper, Mariah, Tim and Oliver. 

Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 4-6 pm, with tributes offered at 5:30 pm, at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane in Yarmouth.  A church service will be held at the Chebeague Island United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 26th at 1:00 PM with a reception following at Nancy’s home. 

Donations may made be made to the Chebeague Island Council, P.O. 12, Chebeague Island or the Island Commons, 132 Littlefield Road, Chebeague Island, ME 04017.

Nancy, Sue, and Jody in Longmeadow, MA

On an airboat, Kennebec River, 1986

Common's winetasting 2008